The Institute of Development Policy (IOB) is a multidisciplinary institute involved in academic teaching, scientific research and service to the community in the area of economic, political and social aspects of development policy.
IOB has an academic staff team consisting of 11 professors, 6 postdocs, 22 junior researchers with backgrounds in economics, political science, sociology, history, law, biology and anthropology
We offer three Master programmes,short-term training courses and a PhD programme.
Our research is oriented to development as a multi-level and multi-actor phenomenon, with research lines focusing on respectively the local, national and international levels of development. Policy advisory work is closely connected to these research activities.
IOB networks with other European development institutes through EADI and CERES, and actively cultivates several institutional partnerships in the South.
A new chapter for IOB
As of 1 September 2026, the Institute of Development Policy (IOB) is a semi-autonomous institute within the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Antwerp.This marks an important new chapter in IOB’s history.
For 25 years, IOB operated as an independent institute for Development Studies, building a strong international reputation in education, research and outreach, supported by consistently positive evaluations. In November 2025, the Flemish Government announced a decision to discontinue structural funding for IOB.
The decision prompted the #SaveIOB campaign, bringing together IOB staff, students and alumni, as well as international experts, diplomats, media and supporters from the wider public. The campaign highlighted the value of IOB’s work and the importance of maintaining a strong centre for development studies in Flanders. Following this period of mobilisation and reflection, IOB, the Faculty of Social Sciences and the University of Antwerp agreed to integrate IOB as a semi-autonomous institute within the Faculty.
The transition, even though it involved difficult choices, including saying goodbye to some colleagues who have been an important part of the IOB community, at the same time, the integration provides a basis for continuing IOB’s work, building on its longstanding strengths, as well as creating new opportunities. As a semi-autonomous institute within the Faculty of Social Sciences, IOB will continue to bring its distinctive approach and expertise to education, research and outreach, while remaining connected to the wider University of Antwerp community. Just as importantly, the IOB community — built over 25 years through the connections between students, alumni, staff, researchers and partners around the world — remains at the heart of the institute.
Want to learn more about the #SaveIOB campaign ? Want to read IOB's history of 50 years of Development Studies?